One mom’s story of a threatened forced cesarean which includes the letter written by the National Advocates for Pregnant Women, the ACLU, the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project, and the National Birth Policy Coalition.

I am concerned about [hospital’s] ban on vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC.)

This ban goes against The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) as well as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) who, in 2010, affirmed that VBAC is a safe and reasonable option for most women while urging that barriers to VBAC be eliminated.

VBAC bans directly conflict with ACOG’s guidelines which state “the ultimate decision to undergo [a trial of labor after cesarean] or a repeat cesarean delivery should be made by the patient in consultation with her health care provider.”

Furthermore, ACOG argues that restrictive VBAC policies and bans should not be used to force women to undergo a repeat cesarean delivery even if a hospital does not offer 24/7 anesthesia.

I urge hospital administrators to watch Dr. David Birnbach’s presentation from the 2010 NIH VBAC Conference detailing the various strategies motivated hospitals employ to safely offer VBAC in the absence of 24/7 anesthesia: http://vimeo.com/10808838. In the public comments section, look for the OB whose rural hospital has a 30% VBAC rate and great outcomes, without providing 24/7 anesthesia.

Fundamentally, every hospital should be able to treat obstetrical complications whether they are from moms planning VBACs, repeat cesareans, or first time moms.

Since half of American women are interested in VBAC, most women are candidates, most are successful, and it is their human right to make to make healthcare decisions for themselves and their babies, I urge [hospital] to reverse its VBAC ban. Learn more at vbacfacts.com.

Sincerely,

[signed]

102 word version for larger newspapers

Dear Editor,

I am concerned about [hospital’s] ban on vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC.)

This ban goes against The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists as well as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) who, in 2010, affirmed that VBAC is a safe and reasonable option for most women.

Since half of American women are interested in VBAC, most women are candidates, most are successful, and it is their human right to make this choice, I urge [hospital] to reverse its VBAC ban. Learn more at vbacfacts.com.

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